Photo by: Simon Cudby

Round 8 of the 2019 Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship series, and round 3 of the Eastern Regional 250SX Championship produced a Monster Energy / Kawasaki sweep in both classes. Eli Tomac bounced back from a terrible Arlington round to win the Detroit SX “Triple Crown” while Austin Forkner remained undefeated in the 250SX East season.

Click to check out what’s new at Race Tech

Joining Tomac on the 450 podium was Red Bull / KTM’s Cooper Webb and JGR / Suzuki’s Chad Reed—who extended his all-time podium record to 132. In the 250SX Class, Troy Lee Designs / KTM’s Jordon Smith and GEICO / Honda’s Chase Sexton took the final two spots on the box.

After the six Detroit SX main events were in the books, we gathered quotes from the riders to find out how their “Triple Crown” races went for them.

Forkner holds up 3 fingers for his three moto sweep and for winning the first three 250SX East events. Photo by: Octopi

Eli Tomac: (1st in 450SX) “Today was just one of those days where everything clicked. Starting in practice and qualifying with having the fastest times in both sessions. In the main events, I was able to go forward through the pack the whole time which was good and other than my start in the third main event, my whole Monster Energy Kawasaki team and I put in a lot of good work this week and it paid off. I am really pleased with how tonight went. We gained some valuable championship points and will continue to keep charging forward.”

 

Austin Forkner: (1st in 250SX) “This format is tough because you have to change up how you normally approach a race. From eating and warming up, there are enough changes that it could affect you, but the team I have behind me put me in the best position tonight and I’m really thankful I could repay them with a win. It’s going to be fun next week battling with my teammate from the west coast when we’re in Atlanta.”

 

Cooper Webb: (2nd in 450SX) “Today didn’t start off the best, I was struggling with the track earlier in the day and qualified ninth. I went to the Main Event with not-the-best gate pick for the Triple Crown but I got a good start in the first one. I just made a lot of mistakes and didn’t ride that well but we, as a team, regrouped and figured out some things to get better. Looking back, I wish I would have done a little better in the first one and I could have potentially gotten the overall but that’s racing and it’s good to be on the podium with a second place, and to get another Main Event win is nice.”

 

Jordon Smith: (2nd in 250SX) “We just didn’t want to make it [my suspension] too harsh on the initial part just to get that good feeling for the [injured] wrist. In our decisions, we kept that in mind: to try and get it through the night as good as possible. Whenever I rode on Thursday back at MTF, I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it through the day or not. I only made it through one ten-minute moto It was a tough night show, but I made it through it, salvaged some good points and that’s all I can ask for.”

Chad Reed (22) continues to set records at 36 years-old. Photo by: Suzuki

Chad Reed: (3rd in 450SX) “We had a really successful day of testing last week, which carried into the weekend. My single lap speed wasn’t great, but I felt race ready. I entered the night program feeling quite good, knowing that a good start was what I needed. I almost got a holeshot. Finishing third in the first main was a great step. I was super excited to get back on the podium, which was my 132nd top-three finish. I’ll take the small wins from the weekend. My top priority is to continue improving in those areas, so I can have a shot at winning one of these things”

 

Chase Sexton: (3rd in 250SX) “In the first two races, I got myself where I needed to be and I made two mistakes which cost me being in any sort of contention. In the third race, I told myself I gotta try and win, ’cause I was a little back on points. It was good. I felt really good again today, but I may have fell a little flat in the night show. I’m looking forward to next weekend and the East/West Shootout”

 

Ken Roczen: (4th in 450SX) “I’m glad tonight is over. We were just one point away from another podium, so that sucks but overall I’m still happy. I’ve been fighting the flu all week, so my body didn’t feel up to par tonight. My focus the entire night just wasn’t there, and I was uncomfortable. I just wanted to minimize the damage, and I think we did that with a fourth. We’re still second in the championship and only six points out of the lead. I’m looking forward to having a good week and heading to Atlanta strong.”

 

Justin Cooper: (4th in 250SX) “The bike was really good all night. We didn’t really play around with the setting, we were pretty happy with it. The track was really tough tonight, though. It was breaking down really quick, so it was important to keep on your toes and stay focused out there. I think I managed the races pretty well, besides my starts. I felt really good on the bike, again, I just put myself in bad situations right off the start. So I’m definitely going to work on those this week and be better for next weekend. We’re making improvements, even if the results don’t show every week. I think it’s just a matter of time. We’re on the right track”

With the win, Tomac cut Webb’s lead over him to 13. Photo by: Octopi

Marvin Musquin: (6th in 450SX) “t was definitely a tough day of not getting very good starts. I wish I would have started a little bit better, at least in the top three. It was hard to pass with a lot of intensity out of everyone in the first few laps of each moto and I made a big mistake and jumped off the track in the first moto and that cost me a lot. The riding was good tonight, I clocked some really good lap times during each of the three motos so I know the speed was there but unfortunately, it was hard to get good results. There was a lot going on in those three Main Events and it’s frustrating but we never give up.”

 

Martin Davalos: (5th in 250SX) “A triple crown format is a lot of racing and the starts are very crucial. I’m really happy with the starts we had tonight and it put us in a good position to fight up front. The east/west showdown is going to be a fun race and hopefully, our whole team can finish up front.”

 

Justin Barcia: (7th in 450SX) “It was another crazy night of racing for me in Detroit. The track was really good. It had a lot of option sections and I felt like my bike was working good in the whoops. The first two races for me were not great with the arm pump I dealt with, but the last race was a step in the right direction. I led some laps and put in a pretty good ride with a little bit of arm pump. My starts have definitely been getting better, so things are definitely starting to come around. So all in all, it was a decent weekend. I’m really looking forward to Atlanta.”

 

Joey Savatgy: (8th in 450) “Tonight’s overall result doesn’t reflect how great I felt and my riding today. I qualified pretty good and in the first main, I just didn’t get out of the gate quick enough which put me in a hole. I was pleased to bounce back in the second main and get on the podium with a third, and at one point in the third main event I was challenging for an overall podium but a small mistake ended up costing me. We will regroup this week and come out swinging in Atlanta which is kind of like a home-town race for me.”

Smith (28) fought off the pain of his wrist injury to get 2nd. Photo by: Simon Cudby

Alex Martin: (6th in 250SX) “I was happy with my riding in Detroit. I qualified third fastest in practice, which is something I haven’t done for a few years in Supercross. I had a great jump in the first main, but I got pushed off the track on the start. I was only able to get back to tenth place. I was very happy with my third-place finish in the second main. It was the best I have ridden in a Supercross race in a long time. The third main event I pretty much finished where I started. We’re making good strides toward being on the podium. My consistency on the starts is something we will work on this week.”

 

Zach Osborne : (10th in 450) “Overall it was a better night for me. I ended up 10th overall, so it’s a step in the right direction and something I can build from. Right now, it’s just getting laps and getting my fitness back, finding some settings that I’m super comfortable with again and finding my race trim. I feel like tonight with the Triple Crown, it’s a lot of racing and a lot of opportunities to be out there on the track and find my feet again. I had some pretty decent battles and was able to make some passes and kind of move around a little bit, which is a nice feeling. So, I’m looking forward to Atlanta, I think we can continue to build and make progress and the results will come soon enough.”

 

Mitchell Oldenburg: (7th in 250SX) “Tonight as a whole was all right. It’s just a little frustrating that my results aren’t showing what I’m capable of and how good I’m feeling and riding. We’re going to work on the starts. Starts are definitely slacking right now. So we’ll go back to the drawing board this week, get some good starts. The track was really fun. I really enjoyed the Triple Crown format, with the three mains. It was a pretty quick night for us and we were go, go, go. Like I said before, results aren’t showing what I’m capable of and how good I’m riding. If we can get a start, we’ll be up there for some wins and some podiums. I know it.”

 

Dean Wilson: 11th in 250SX) “Today was about mixed emotions. I say that because I qualified second and my riding was really good in both sessions of practice but I struggled in the races tonight. I feel like with my riding I’m a lot more capable than that, so for the third race, I was pretty fired up and came off the start really good. I stayed in fourth the whole race right there and unfortunately, I made a mistake to allow Marvin [Musquin] by me and I went to square him up right before the whoops but I didn’t realize Kenny [Roczen] was right there and I kind of got cleaned out, but that’s racing. Eleventh overall is definitely not where I want to be, I’m very well capable of being on that box but I just need to make it happen.”

After a tough 450 debut in Arlinton last weekend, Zach rode well in Detroit.

Kyle Peters: (14th in 250SX) “It was an off-weekend in Detroit. I wasn’t riding to my potential, but I improved throughout the night. I’m ready to put in work for Atlanta. I’m solid during the week, but I’m having difficulty carrying that over to the races.”

 

Aaron Plessinger: (12th in 450SX) “Detroit for me was pretty good, other than the starts. I’m happy with my riding. I’ve just got to get off the gate. My bike was working really well, didn’t change anything on it all day. The track broke down quite a bit tonight, more than I thought it was going to. We came away with 12th overall, I’m not extremely happy with that. I know I can do better, but it’s baby steps. We’re going to do some work this week and get ready for Atlanta.”

 

Jordan Bailey: (15th in 250SX) “The first race I had an unfortunate two crashes, which resulted in a DNF. The second race, I charged up to 12th and the third moto I finally got inside the top-10 with ninth. Overall, it was a tough weekend and we look forward to the east/west shootout in Atlanta next weekend.”

 

Justin Hill: (13th in 450SX) “Ultimately, I cooked myself last week trying to gain my cardio back. I’ll be cutting my training off by Wednesday, so I can be fresh for next weekend. I’ll be looking to get where I need to finish.”

 

Cole Seely (out injured) “I’m really bummed I couldn’t race tonight, especially because I was feeling so strong and fast during practice. While laying down my fastest time, I got hit by a pretty big rock right in my sternum, which knocked the wind out of me. I tried to ride the second session but the pain was too much and I wasn’t able to hang on. I hate having to make the call to race or not because obviously, the racer in me wants to be on the line, but I also didn’t want to risk further injury since I barely had the strength to get around the track for one lap. I’m going to do everything I can this week to make sure I’m ready to go for Atlanta.”

Feature Photo by: Octopi

Author

Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.